February 10, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 3
Top Stories
First Year Of Performing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacements
Upcoming Blood Drives
5 Foods that Fight Heart Disease
Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary 2022 Scholarship
EAP Update: Grief
In Every Edition In the News, Page 3
As part of its observation of February as National Heart Month, Excela Health is marking its first anniversary of offering minimally invasive aortic heart valve replacement as part of a widening array of procedures available to the residents of Westmoreland County within the Heart and Vascular Center at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. “While the COVID public health crisis has overshadowed the day-to-day health needs of many within our community, we have remained vigilant in offering a variety of life-altering procedures to patients over this same period,” said Carol J. Fox, MD, Excela Health’s Chief Medical Officer. “Thanks to our expert team within the cardiovascular program, we have continued to identify patients who would benefit from minimally invasive procedures such as TAVR or other surgical interventions and care for them in a safe, efficient manner.”
Kudos & Recognition, Page 5 New Faces, Page 6
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey Excela Health is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that strengthens, supports and enhances our culture. The Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Action (IDEA) Team has been developed to champion these initiatives within the organization. The IDEA Team works to create an environment of inclusivity in which our employees, patients and visitors all feel welcome. In order to benchmark the progress, a measurement of the current state of employee diversity demographics and sentiment of employees regarding inclusionary concepts is needed. This survey will provide valuable insight into where Excela Health currently stands and will serve as our initial baseline measurement as we move to further prioritize Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI).
IDEA TEAM Inclusion, Diversity & Equity Action
Participation in the survey is voluntary and responses are confidential. The survey will take less than 3 minutes to complete and will be available from January 28, 2022 to February 28, 2022.
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Excela Health Among Elite For Wellness
Excela Health’s commitment to employee health and wellness has placed the Western Pennsylvania health system among the best of the best nationally, and among leaders within the healthcare sector based on new rankings from two respected benchmarking organizations. Already recognized among the Nation’s Best and Brightest in Wellness® sponsored by the National Association for Business Resources for five consecutive years, Excela Health was elevated to Elite status during the National Illuminate Business Summit held in January, before being lauded as the “Best of the Best Large Business”. “Employee health and wellness is not just something we aspire to; it’s a commitment we have made to each and every member of our healthcare team,” said Laurie English, Excela Health Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are honored and humbled by these independent validations of that commitment. The challenges of the pandemic notwithstanding, we are focused on the health and well-being of every life we touch, especially our team, for without them, we cannot care for others.”
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February 10, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 3
Upcoming Blood Drives Excela Health and the American Red Cross will be hosting two employee blood drives this spring. Excela Health employees are encouraged to participate and help patients in our community receive the lifesaving blood donations they need.
You can sign up to donate at one of the following events:
In The News
On hold with Excela? A Pittsburgh Man Wrote That Song Click here
• Tuesday, March 29 | Noon to 5:30 p.m. • Excela Square at Latrobe Community Room
• Friday, April 22 | 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. • Westmoreland Hospital Memorial Conference Center Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are preferred.
Western Pa. Health Care Facilities in Compliance with Federal Vaccine Mandate Click here
To schedule, please call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code ExcelaSquareLatrobe for Latrobe or ExcelaWestmoreland for Westmoreland. You can also sign up for the American Red Cross RapidPass which will allow you to complete your paperwork registration before your appointment.
Dr. Michael Culig Discusses Cardiac Care Services
Excela Health Role Spotlight: Jason, PA Click here Exclea Health Role Spotlight: Maggie, RN Click here
Excela Health Cardiothoracic Surgeon Michael Culig, MD, MMM and Vice President of Operations for the Cardiology Service Line Denise Addis, MSN, RN, CPHQ, will be the guests of Westmoreland Community Connections, a public affairs program of WHJB FM 107.1. Tune in to learn more on Sunday, Feb. 13, at 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
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5 Foods that Fight Heart Disease February is “Heart Month”, a time when we can reflect on our eating habits for cardiac health. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends a diet that is low in fat, saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol. Heart healthy eating shouldn’t be about what foods to avoid entirely, but rather, what foods to choose.
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Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary 2022 Scholarship
Nominations Now Open for Nursing Awards
The Westmoreland Hospital Auxiliary is offering a scholarship to one Excela Health employee pursuing continuing education in a healthcare field. The amount to be awarded is $2,500. The scholarship recipient may be eligible to receive two scholarships.
It’s that time again! After a brief hiatus, the Recognition and Retention Committee has announced they will be receiving nominations for the following awards:
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Cameos of Caring | Outstanding Care Team Member | Nurse Resident | Advanced Cameos of Caring Nominations are due February 28, 2022.
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NURSING
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February 10, 2022 | Volume 5 | Issue 3
Wellness Year 2022 The wellness year began October 5, 2021 and ends September 30, 2022 and if you are planning to get a biometric screening it must be completed by that date. Employees are encouraged to participate in the voluntary Motivation Alliance program. Completion of the program can earn you eligibility into the reduced per pay deduction for the medical plan.
EAP Update: Grief
Learn coping skills for grief with the latest seminar. This online seminar covers ways to say goodbye and healthy steps to manage the five stages of grief. To access the webinar use the Work-Life login code “excela”.
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Kudos & Recognition Excela Health Laurel Surgical Center I've been here a few times over the years for medical procedures. Always a positive experience with a very friendly staff. Google Review Excela Health Sleep Medicine: Dr. Richard F. Kucera, MD I have seen Dr. Richard Kucera only in the hospital setting. He has been nothing but amazing! I just love him!!! Google Review PeriAnesthesia Nurse Awareness Week, 2/7 to 2/13 | Cardiovascular Professionals Week, 2/13 to 2/19 Cardiac Rehab Week, 2/13 to 2/19 | Phlebotomists Recognition Week, 2/15 to 2/19 Critical Care Nurses Day, 2/18 | National Caregivers Day, 2/18
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New Faces: Welcome to Excela Health Frick Hospital
Emergency Department Samantha Ohler, Health Unit Coordinator (HUC) Food and Nutrition Services Deven Anderson, Culinary Specialist Tiffany Bryner, Nutrition Services Specialist Sherry Kelly, Nutrition Services Specialist Laboratory Services Nina Forlini, Phlebotomist Patient Transport Hillary Akers, Patient Transporter Perianesthesia LeeAness Whipkey, BSN
Latrobe Hospital
Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit 2 Holly Reagan, Behavioral Health Technician Emergency Department Zoe Miller, Graduate Nurse Imaging Services Shyanne Butler, Radiology Technologist II Inpatient Wound Care Dana Myers, RN PCU 2W Jennie Long, BSN Pharmacy Justin Dombrosky, Pharmacy Intern
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Westmoreland Hospital
Care Support Center Joan Elsroad, Care Support Specialist Food and Nutrition Services Jacqueline Carr, Culinarian II Dean Crissman, Nutrition Services Intern Katherine Jones, Nutrition Concierge II Laboratory Services Alexis Miller, Phlebotomist Nurse Navigators Kathleen Sankovich, Education Nurse Navigator PCU 1D Maggie Karinchak, Technical Partner Student PCU 3D/3E Alyssa Gabris, Technical Partner Student Respiratory Care Services Alexis Pritts, Respiratory Assistant Student Step Down Unit Nicholas Silvis, Technical Partner Student
Excela Health Medical Group Cardiology Greensburg Jaime Dore, Patient Services Associate Family Medicine Delmont Patricia Cutshall, Patient Services Associate Thoracic Services Kassidy Gulas, Patient Services Associate Weekend Clinic Excela Square at Norwin Gina Skinner, Nurse Practitioner I
